Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble

The Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble is a big band directed by Paul Evoskevich. Band members are chosen by audition each fall. Emphasis is placed on solo improvisation as well as on carefully rehearsed ensemble playing. The group performs frequently throughout the school year on and off-campus. Recent performances have included concerts at area high schools and colleges, area nightclubs, for the Saratoga Polo Association, and for the Albany Symphony. Repertoire for the ensemble is quite varied and spans the history of big band jazz from the late 1920’s up to the present day. In 1993, the Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble became the only college ensemble that has ever performed in the Newport Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Members of the ensemble toured Russia in 1996.

The College of Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble

Paul Evoskevich

Paul Evoskevich is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at The College of Saint Rose. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Hartt School, and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from The Eastman School of Music. He has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Dayton Philharmonic, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Albany Symphony, Louis Bellson, Bob Mintzer, Bill Cunliffe, Paul Anka, Liza Minelli, Joel Grey, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, Sarah Vaughn, Theresa Brewer, and Ben Vereen.

He has extensive experience recording for television and radio jingles and soundtracks and is an active performer of classic saxophone repertoire and jazz. He has performed and presented master classes throughout the United States and Europe. A former staff writer for The Saxophone Journal and Jazz Player Magazine, Mr. Evoskevich has written many articles on woodwind playing and jazz. In addition to directing The College of Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble, he is also director of The Empire State Youth Jazz Ensemble, a group comprised of outstanding high school jazz musicians from throughout the greater Albany, NY area.

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Premiere Performances is a series of musical presentations that reflects the mission of The College of Saint Rose and calls attention to the importance and the position of the Massry Center for the Arts and the College in the cultural life of the Capital Region and beyond.